Chapter 146
I sat in my bed, my mind clouded trying to think about when I actually went wrong and how. If the baby in Mara’s stomach was really mine, then I had let a total stranger carry my child. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Things were really messed up in my head right now.
I thought back to how Mara got into the palace. She had just shown up one day, claiming to be the daughter of an Alpha. I had believed her without question, blinded by my own expectations coupled with the fact that she was on a first name basis since the first day we met.
“Aston, it’s me Mara,” she had said, curtsying low. “My parnt me here.”
I remembered smiling at how grown she had become, relieve that the pact was being honoured because I didn’t want to find one myself. “Welcome, Mara. You’re expected.”
But now, I realized how easy it was for Mara to deceive me. She had played on my expectations, using my own biases against me.
I wondered how I had been so blind. I had let my own desires cloud my judgment, and I had paid the price.
I needed to talk to Mara, to get to the bottom of this. I stood up and walked to her chambers, my heart pounding in my chest. What would I find out? Was the baby really mine? And what did Mara want from me?
I pushed open the door, my eyes scanning the room. Mara was sitting on the bed, her eyes locked on mine.
“Aston,” she said, smiling.
But I wasn’t smiling. I was too busy trying to figure out the truth.
“Mara, we need to talk,” I said, my voice firm.
She nodded, her smile faltering. “What is it, Aston?”
I glared at her, my patience wearing thin. “Listen, I’m done playing games. I’m not exactly the detective type, and I’m tired of trying to figure out who you are and what you want.” I paced back and forth in front of her, my mind racing with possibilities.
Mara’s eyes widened, her pupils dilating in surprise. She took a step back, her hands rising in a defensive gesture. “Okay, okay, I get it,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “You’re upset.”
“Upset?” I repeated, my voice rising. “That’s an understatement. I’m furious. You waltz in here, claiming to be someone you’re not, and then you have the nerve to get pregnant with my child?” I stopped pacing and turned to face her, my eyes blazing with anger. “Who are you, really?”
Mara hesitated, her eyes darting back and forth like a trapped animal. “I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered.
I took a step closer to her, my fists clenched at my sides. “Don’t lie to me,” I growled. “I can see right through you. You’re not who you say you are. So, here’s the deal. You have two options. You can either tell me the truth, or…or I’ll make you regret ever crossing me.”
Mara’s eyes went wide, her face pale. She swallowed hard, her Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I…I’ll tell you,” she whispered.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. “Go on,” I said, my voice softer now.
Mara took a deep breath, her shoulders squaring. “My name is not Mara,” she said, her voice firm. “It’s…it’s Caramel. And I’m not the daughter of the an Alpha.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Who are you, then?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Caramel hesitated, her eyes darting back and forth.
I took a step closer to her, my voice low and menacing. “Tell me, I growled. “Or suffer the consequences.”
I stood in the grand hall, my eyes fixed on Caramel as she was dragged away by the guards. It was like watching my whole life get turned upside down, ten months of my life, at least. I had trusted her, believed her, and she had deceived me. I couldn’t believe how easily she had manipulated me, how easily she had gained my trust.
“Take her away,” I growled, my voice low and menacing. I was trying to keep my cool, but it was hard. I was angry, furious, and I wanted to lash out.
The guards nodded, their faces expressionless. “Yes, Your Highness,” one of them replied. They didn’t seem to be affected by her screams and struggles.
Aa struggled against them, her eyes flashing with a r. “You can’t do this!” she screamed. “I’m in charge here!” She was trying to assert her authority, but it was too late. I had seen through her lies.
The guards didn’t flinch. “Sorry, miss,” one of them said. “But we answer to the Alpan not to you.” They knew better to put it out in the right place, and they knew that I was the one who gave the orders.
I watched as they dragged her away, her screams echoing through the hall. I was angry, furious, and I wanted to lash out. But I knew I had to keep my cool, had to think clearly. I couldn’t let my emotions get the better of me.
“Lock her up in the dungeon,” I ordered. “And make sure she doesn’t escape.” I wanted to make sure that she couldn’t cause any more harm.
The guards nodded and disappeared into the darkness, Caramel’s screams fading into the distance. I was left standing alone in the grand hall, my mind racing.
How could she have deceived me so easily? How could I have been so blind? I thought about the past ten months, about how Caramel had arrived at the palace, claiming to be Mara, the daughter of the neighboring kingdom’s Alpha. I had believed her, trusted her, and she had played me like a fool.
I turned and walked away, my footsteps echoing through the empty hall. I needed to think, needed to figure out what to do next. I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. I had to take action.
As I walked, I couldn’t help but think about the past ten months. S had been so convincing, so charming. She had gained my trust easily, and I had given her access to the palace and to me. I had been so blind.
I reached my chambers and slammed the door shut behind me. I was angry, furious, and I didn’t know how to deal with it. I paced back and forth across the room, my mind racing. What was I going to do? How was I going to fix this?
I stood in my chambers, still trying to process the events that had just transpired. Caramel was finally where she belonged – in the dungeon. But my peace was short-lived, as I heard a knock at the door. It was Brax.
“Aston, are you aware of what the guards are doing?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
I nodded, my expression firm. “Yes, I am. I ordered them to take her to the dungeon.
Brax’s face fell, his eyes widening in shock. “How could you do that to a pregnant woman?” he yelled, his voice echoing off the walls. “Have you lost all sense of compassion?”
I stood my ground, unmoved by his outburst. “She’s not who she claims to be, Brax. She’s a spy, and she’s been playing me for a fool.”
Brax’s face turned red with rage. “That’s no excuse to treat her like a criminal!” he shouted. “She’s pregnant, Aston! Have some compassion! Think about the child she’s carrying!”
I sighed, trying to reason with him. “Brax, listen to me. She is not what she seems. She’s been manipulating me, using her pregnancy to get what she wants. I won’t fall for it.”
But Brax wouldn’t listen. He kept yelling, kept calling me a monster. I knew he was just trying to protect her, but I couldn’s let that happen. I had to protect myself, my kingdom.
“Brax, stop,” I said finally, my voice firm. “I won’t release her. She’s a threat to my throne, and I won’t let her get away with i
Brax’s face fell, his eyes filled with disappointment. “You’re making a mistake, Aston,” he said quietly. A big one. You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
I shook my head. “I’m doing what’s best for this kingdom, Brax. And if you can’t see that, then maybe you’re not the advise I thought you were.”
Brax’s eyes flashed with anger, but he said nothing. He turned and left, leaving me to wonder if I had just made a powerful enemy.
I sat down on my throne, trying to process what..just happened. I knew Brax was upset, but I couldn’t let that sway me. I had to do what was best for the kingdom, even if it meant making tough decisions.
I thought the confrontation with Brax was over, but thirty minutes later, he returned to my chambers, a traveling bag in his hand. I raised an eyebrow, curious about what he was doing.
“Brax, I thought we settled this,” I said, my voice firm. “I’m not letting her go.”
Bray’s face was set in a determined expression. “Bring me the mother of my child, or things are going to get nasty,” he growled and my jaw dropped.he